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My year as an online university student has been a fulfilling academic experience. My days are filled with learning and at week's end I have a strong sense of accomplishment. It took me a while to muster the courage to enroll, but once I did I found the decision to be one of the best I have ever made. The endeavor has changed my life and I have been able to pursue a degree that I might never have obtained otherwise. The advantages of distance learning are beneficial to a wide variety of prospective students.

The flexibility and educational challenge offered by a distance learning environment makes it a viable alternative to traditional college. Working around family, work and social schedules is more feasible for an online student. Asynchronous communication allows the online student a degree of independence. Being able to participate in class while cooking dinner for the family takes the concept of multi-tasking to a new level. Logging in to class from the comfort of my own home affords me the opportunity to overcome personal obstacles I might not be able to in a traditional college setting.

The workload for an online student is comparable to that of a traditional college student, as is the level of difficulty. Class is conducted through general and individual threaded forums. Participation is based on the student's level of involvement and students are required to meet specific requirements set by each individual institution. Instructors are active in both the online classroom and available to the student via email or individual forum. There are also enrollment, academic and financial counselors available for further consultation. Assignments range from Powerpoint presentations, to research papers, to answering simple questions within a set word limit.

Distance learning is one of the fastest-growing modern mediums for educational pursuits. Because of the demands of everyday life the alternative appeals to more and more people every day. Juggling a job, children, home, spouse and other demands leave less and less time in the day. Convenience and manageability are integral parts of the online learning experience. Those advantages draw more and more students, just like me, to these classrooms every day.

Learn more about this author, Diane Mackenzie.
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